Hydraulic piston ring expander and piston head cooling device



May 25, 1948. .1. l.. IPPoLlTo 2,442,271

HYDRAULIC PISTON RING EXPANDER AND PISTON.HEAD COOLING DEVICE f/ @Z ze //lll/ l//ll 111111111, V )IA 7 A r gl l. ,if 'nl/111111111111111!! BY ay 25, 1948;. J. 1 lPPoLlTO 2,442,271

HYDRAULIC PISTON RING EXPANDER AND PISTON HEAD COOLING DEVICE 5/ I INVENToR y Q1-M Patented May 25a 1948 ...UNITED STATES PATIEN'I'.V QEElCE U i Y 26,442,2711" 'w' rompue risfroN RING Exrgmmi AND I Y lfIs'roN-HEAD cooLiNG Davies:

`.'Iospli iflppolito, Ansohiaibonn. Applieationlieiruary 1, 1944i 'S'al No. 520,676

This invention relates to a hydraulic piston ring expander and'pis'ton head cooling devioe 'for power-pistons, 'particularlyvfor the pistons of internall combustion engines, and has for an object toprovidean'improvedmeans for expanding the piston rings and controlling their pressure against thewalls of' the cylinder andagainst the-sides of the rih'ggrooves, and Whichfwill form an eieotive means-for ycooling thehead or end wallof the piston "to reduce detonationknock and cause cooler y running' ofthe piston and I pistonv rings.

`Another-object is topi-'Ovide an improved means for'v circulating 'a cooling liquid against the head orl end "wall of the powerpiston to control the temperature thereof andproduce cooler running of the piston and the ringscarried*therebyv and to 'prevent -or greatly reduce detohation knock.

3A 'further object isto provide` such a device whichmayibe connected with the oil-pressure circulatingsys'tem of the engine to'b'e supplied f A=Th`is invention is a further development and f improvement on the invention of inylprior Patent No. V2,282,475, issued May' 12, 1942,- fo'if-Piston'rihg eXpahder f w f With the foregoing land other objects in view I have devised the construction illustrated ih the accompanying drawingforminga ipart of 'this specification. "It is, however; ltu be understood the invention is not limited to the specific details of- `if:ohstructiori and arrangement shown but may emhody various changes and -modications Within the 'scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a fpiston of an inter'na combustion engine-and a portion of th'ef cylinder Awith the cylinder head removed, and showing 'my improvement vapplied to the pistoni Fig. 2 is a plan view of one section of the cooling and pressure chamber removed `and on a reduced scale;v

3 is a side-elevation thereof;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section with a connec-y tion fora pressure supply conduit to the pressure and' cooling chamber showing a nonreturn valve therein? s `Fig. 5 is .a longitudinal section through. the outlet 'valve-from the chamber; Y

"'liigfis'fa longitudinal section through a re. stricter that may he fused iii-ther pressure supply co'rdliit';l V

' solaires. (ci.:ids-524i"- Fig. 'I is a section similar to Fig. 1, 'showing a modiiiedsarrangement; Y, .i ,f

,.F'ig.r 8 is alongit'udihal section of the wrist pin ofiFig...'Zv,.and. v'Fig.9 is a section of the upper' end of the piston. 01?..1Eig.y 7 taken atcright :anglesgto the plane of Fig. f7 and substantially online 9-"=9 ofthis figure.; f. i,

Fig.r 1 shows a portion of a cylinder l0 of an internal combustion., engine havingitiie usual coolingior water jacket Il. Mounted .to recipro cate in .the .cylinder is the Apiston ,I 2 including a heador. end Wall Isfandfa skirtv or 'side walls I4. .In1the side walls are one orfmoreigrooves I5 for Ve:thandalole 4piston.rings..Il.i...Any usual number---ofsg'rooves or ringsgmay .he used, three being shown in the drawing, the .rings expandingto engage :the .side walls oi the, cylinder to prevent leakage. of 'gas pressure. pastthe. piston, asis well known.. ...Connected to ythe'piston is the usuall connecting .rod l1 connected `with ,the crank shaft (not shown)i .inthe .usual manner and connected to thepistonwith the usual Wristipin I8.

.Withinitheipiston at the: inner side of the head or end .Wall ,I 3/ isA a.,-vpressureahcl4 cooling. cham-ber I9.- .1. It. is preferredthat theupperpart of this chamber be orxnedr by walls 2li integralwith the head t3 (although. they couldbe part of ja separate member secured to the head) and that the lower portion of the chamber loe-formed by a separate member-21;. 4,'I-he.side Walls `20 and the sidewalls 22: of the member 2l lareprovided with 'angs :23 .ttingi together and 44clamped 4together' by.y suitable \bolts...(not shown, passingthrOllgh suitable. openingsfll in,the.flanges'., .Inrfthe construction 'shown :these ilangrespV also; are provided with tubular-extensions 25 together..providing a cylindricalchamber 2,6 .tn relceive, pressure cylinders 2'I4 which may be securedin position by external. flanges Y234 seating .ingrooves 29 in the flange Wal-1... VThese cylinders are openat their inner ends. so as tonbe in lcommunication with the pressure chamber. kIS. and each. encloses a piston .3u connectedby a pistonrod 3l passing through an. openingin the outer ,end of the cylinder 'whereit is. connectedtofacross rod `32h Cori.- nected with this cross rod ,arepinsgpassing throughv openingsin thevside wfallspf the piston to -Ithe ring grooves l5...J In each groove ,is a pair ofV ringsiltfwhicli1 are Ysplit .rings and tend to expand-.radially Atosengagelth'e side Walls of the cylinderiin theusual manner.; They are also separable `verticallyand each. pin 33. has a tap'ered endi34 .engaging between thetwo rings so thata's the 'pin isiforced outwardly or. radialiy by Connected with one side of the chamber I9 is a fluid pressure conduit 35 connected with the oilA rows as it passes through the chamber to the outlet 45. This outlet 45 is preferably arranged horizontally so that the valve is not aiected by the movements of the piston.

In operation the oil under pressure from the oil pressure circulating system flows through the conduit 25 from the hollow connecting rod, or

v tube Secured along the outside of the connecting pressure circulating system of the engine.A If the;

connecting rod I'I is drilled for an' cilfpas sage V`46in the slide'of the chamber.

f pressure valve and controls the pressure in the chamberV I9.u

as indicated at 36, this conduit may be connected to this oil passage to receive the circulating oil under pressure therefrom. It Ymay beconnectedj j to the piston rod by any suitable means, such for example as the fitting 31 and is connected to the chamber I9 by a suitable tting 38. In this latter tting is a checker nonreturn valve 39, which will permit ow of' oilvimder pressure Yto the chamber but prevent its flow backward through the conduit. This Valve is held in normally closed. position' by a .suitable spring 49 pressing against the'valvev at one end and a suitable adjusting sleeve or nipple 4I at the other end, threaded into the valve casing. By vadjustingthis nipple 4in or out, the ypressure of the spring 40 onthe-valve'may beadju'sted to adjust the Apressure atwhich the valve will open. This fitting .38 is connected. to the chamber in ahorizontal positionso that `movements ofthe piston will not aiect opening or'closing of the` valve, and there may also be inthe conduit 35a restrictor 42 having anfoutletnipple 4'3 with a restricted pass'age 44 leading to the conduitf'By usingnipples with dilerent sized passages the restriction may beV madeV anything 'desired to' 4Vmaintain proper flow and pressure. ...Thecondut 35 may be a ilexible` conduit Vto...compensate for4 the slight rocking motion .betweenth'epistonyand the :.connecting rod .'I1,E orif thei'connecting rod is not drilled it .could be a'conduit secured along the side of the'connecting rod 'and' connected .with the oil pressure system-14 Instead: ofl a flexible conduit Va swivel joint `ora` universal :j oint `could be .used toir compensate forjltherelative movements, ffl' H. `"'I.'"`. Spaced from the inlet connection 38and preferably located at' the opposite side 'of chamber'l9 is Ian outlet 45. I This is shown as aspring pressed ball valve 46normally held closed by the spring 41 and having an outlet48 for passage of`the oil when the valve opens;- At the oppositetend it engages anradjusting` nipple. 49. which' is screwed into'the ttingJI5'v and may'beadjusted to vary the tension ofthe spring `to Yvary .thelpres'sure at which theyalve opens and thus control the pressure in the chamber-|9.. After Yadjustmeritthe nipple 49 may be held in the adjusted positionby a simplelocking means, such for example as a cotter pin 50. With thisarrangement oil circulates through the chamber I9,.and coolsthe end wall I3 of the piston. To improve this coolin'g effect baille means is preferably provided in the chamber to direct the circulating oil' toward or against the end wall. In the .present lcase a transverse baffle .5I extends upwardly from'the bottom wallof the chamber and in front of; the inlet 38 and is `preferably 'inclined towardJand over this inlet, but is spaced atl its upper.,edge from the end wall. I3 so thatthefoil circulating from the inlet 3B is directed upwardly toward and against the head I.3as. indicated by thejar-y rod, and through the restrictor 42,` which will restrict the ow to the proper amount, and through Vthe nonreturn or check valve 39 to the chamber I9 where it is directed upwardly by the baffle 5I. toward andY against the head or end wall I3, thereby picking up a great amount of heat which is carried out by the oil through the outlet valve This valve is a Inv conventional pistons the heat from the explosive charge on top of the piston has to be conducted bythe head or end wall I3 to ,the edge or sid e wallsof the pistonandthe piston.. rings and-,then .t9 tbeylinder .walls es. the ,cpolinaeifeet atihe.. center ofY the head, ,de` pende. on the -eonducienof :the heat from.; point through thewallsasitldieatedit will .be araparent that. the headisngtnrppeltly cooled.- -With the present -;construction.:beweren the heed. 1S Cooled. by., the Circulation; .0f- 19H 'hrllgh '912e chamber ,I9 which pielss. .untheheat ,Se asm-keep thehead and pStQn. .muchzeeoler and ,thus elimihating or greatly, reducing 'detonaliri knock which will enable engineers-to raisecompressipn on the `engine and` Secure. greater -emclepy ,and betl. Operation. .3T-1115 lrarlgmn?@Isch-Elves 0001er running rings because. theil. gielsfupf large amountoi heat from the piston head which would otherwise beconducted to/the rings'. This reduces burning ofthe lubricating oil, The ,cooling liquidis also usedto operate the expanding means for the ring andtherefore rings canbe used with relatively low tension or pressure, s ay for example about two;pounds. The hydraulic pressure means from the pistons 30 maybe used at any additional pressure desired, usuallyv about twelve or thirteenpounds, sc thatthe ringswill havev a pressureV of sayabout fteen pounds against the cylinder walls. Also with thi`s arrangement wear on the rings is automatically taken'up and the tapered pins 33at gn the double rines, as above vdeseribed.;which forms. a .seal at the topfa'nd bottomeithe grooves aswell .as againstthe walls of the cylinder. --It will b ejevif dent thatthe pressure or the rings against .the cylinder wall can be adjustedto any desired amount depending on Athepressure A`within -the chamber I9 which may be adjustedby adjustment of the outlet'lveive: i .e i; ,f

In the forms v,shsuvrl ,in Fies- 17...@ steeg, Lille pressureorerated means ferlexpandilglhe PiSIQn ring is omitted, but the means for cooling the piston and particularly the piston headfisfrftained. In the form shown in Fig-1` thepressure` operatedv rneansor 'expanding thepistonrhg may be omitted, using only the pistonfoollng means. In Fig. 7, although the piston cooling means is Asubstantially the same as that in Flg.` 1, the cooling med'i'urnfis c o'riductZeilto'1 the piston ina Vsomewhat fdiireht way; '.In' this arrange-l ment the piston is sliwna't 5I inthecylinder'l and lhas the usual expanding ring groovesfin which are mounted the usual' expanding rings152. The piston is made hollow, and atgthe innerfside of the head 53 .is thaepclinsehamber 54, @erresponding to the; cooling chamber-1% of E i g .1. This chamber is preferably formed in twgparts,

the upper portion '55 being integral with the .piston and vthe lower. portion 55 being secured to the portion 55 by any lsuit-able means, such forexample as welding or screws, not vshown but corresponding-to the screws .used in the. openings `24 Vin flanges corresponding to the flanges 23 shown in Fig. 2. At one side of Athe chamber 4 is mounted the inlet valve 35mounted in the fitting 35 the same asin Fig-1, this being a 'check 'or nonreturn valve as described in connection with Fig. 1.- On the opposite side of the chamber is the outlet 45 including the spring pressed valve 45 the same as described in connection with Fig. 1. This 'valve-is adjustable the same as previously described to adjust the pressure of the spring '41 and therefore the pressure in the chamber 54. Between the inlet-38 and the outlet 45 is preferablyrprovided a baille 5l to direct theoil or liquid entering through the inlet 35 upwardly-toward the head 53 of the piston to insure proper cooling of this head.

To further facilitate cooling and transfer of heat from the piston head to the circulating oil a series fof integral ribs 58 are Vprovided on the f inner wall of the head projecting into the chamber 54. They are preferably arranged longitudinally of the direction of flow of the cooling oil so as not to pocket this oil or interfere with its circulation through the chamber. Ribs 55 may be provided outside the chamber on the .portion ci the head between the chamber andthe side walls oi the piston to help cool the piston by the oil splashed up into it during operation.

The circulating :oil is conducted to the inlet 38 by a conduit 55. This corresponds to conduit 35 of Fig. l and may be connected to the oil passage 35 in the piston rod Il, the same as in Fig. 1, or it may be supplied with this circulating oil as shown in Fig. 7. In a similar way the conduit 35 in Fig. 1 may be provided with oil in the manner shown in Fig. 7. In this construction the wrist pin 5I is provided with a longitudinal passage 52, which is in communication with passage 35 in the connecting rod. For this purpose a circumferential groove 53 is provided in the wrist-pin in alignment with passage 35 with one or more transverse openings 54 leading from this groove to the passage 52. Spaced longitudinally from this groove 53 the pin is provided with an-other groove 55 communicating with the passage 52 by transverse drill 55, and the tube 55 communicates with this groove 55 as shown. This forms a direct communication from the passage 36 to the conduit 55, and a passage 35 is in communication with the oil pump or pressure circulating system as previously `described the oil under pressure is supplied to the chamber 54 and circulates therethrough the 'same as described in connection with the device oi Fig. 1. The ends of the passage 52 in the wrist-pin may be closed by plugs or caps 51, and they may be secured by a drive fit of a stem 58 in the end of the passage or they could be threaded in the passage. To prevent leakage of the oil past the wrist-pin annular grooves may be provided in the bored openings in the piston and the head 69 of the connecting rod in which may be mounted fiber or other packing l5. This construction and arrangement operates the same as that shown in Fig. 1 and as described in connection therewith except that the pressure operated piston ring expanding means is omitted.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. A power piston of the character described having an end wall and sidewalls, one'or more ring grooves in` the side walls, expandable l'rings in said grooves, an oil chamber'within said piston at the inner side of the yend wall; pressure means operated by oil ,pressure in said chamber and connectedwith therings to expandtherings, and means for circulating `oil under pressure through said chamber and againstr the 'end wall-to operate said pressure means and cool the end wall.

2. A power piston of the'characterdescribed including a head'or end wall and side walls, ring grooves in the sidewalls, expandable rings in said grooves', Van oil chamber within'the piston at the inner sidev ofr the head or Vend wall, pressure means operated by 4oir-:pressure f-in said chamber and connected With-theringstorexpand the rings, a nonreturn 'valveconnected Vwith one side of the vchamberya conduit connected with said valve to supply oil under pressure'to said chamber, and an outlet valve'iat'thewopposite side of the chamber to permitcirculationof oil through thev chamberto coolfthe head-br end wall and operatingiagai'nstJ a spring` tocontrol the pressurev in the; chamber.

3. 'A power piston of the character `described including a head orind wall and sidewalls, ring groovesv in the side Walla-expandable rings in said grooves, an ilphamber withinthepiston at the inner side .of the head'or lend wall, pressure 'means operated by 'oil `pressure'gin 'said chamber and connected with the rings to expand the rings, a conduit' connected' toon'e side of the chamber 'to conduct oil under pressurethereto, a restricted outlet' atthe ppposite'side of `the chamber to permit flow of oil through the chamber y'to control thetexnperatureof the head or end wall while controlling the pressure in the chamber and toretain thel oilin the chamber when the `piston is not operating, and-a baiiie between the inlet and outlet extending upwardly from the bottom ofV the 'chamber toward the head or end wall and spaced therefrom to direct the flow of oil through the chamber to the head or end wall.

4. A power piston of the character described including a head or end wall and side walls, ring grooves in the side walls, expandable rings in said grooves, an oil chamber within the piston at the inner side of the head or end wall, pressure means operated by oil pressure in said chamber and connected with the rings to expand the rings, a conduit connected to one side of the chamber to conduct oil under pressure thereto, a nonreturn valve in said conduit adjacent said charnber, an outlet valve spaced from said inlet and capable of restricting flow of liquid from the chamber to control the pressure therein, and baie means between the inlet and outlet arranged to direct oil owing through the chamber toward the head or end wall to cool said wall.

5. In a device of the character described, a cylinder, a power piston in said cylinder including a head or end wall and side walls, ring grooves in the side walls, a pair of expandable rings in each groove, an oil chamber within the piston at the inner side of the head or end wall, pressure means operated by oil pressure in said chamber and so connected with the rings as to expand them against the cylinder Walls and also to separate the rings in a groove to press them against the sides of the groove, a conduit connected with said chamber to conduct oil under pressure thereto, a nonreturn valve in said conduit adjacent the chamber, and an outlet valve connected with said chamber at a distance from 7 the inlet to cause circulationlof ilthrough .the chamber toV cool the head or end'wall and capable of restricting flow of .the 'oil from the chamber to control the pressure therein. .l

6. A power piston of'lthe'characteri'described including a head or end wall and sidewalls, a fluid chamber Withirrthe piston' tthe'inner side of the head or end;wall-, aiccnduitconnected to one side of the chamber to. conduct fluidunder pressure thereto, and a restricted outlet at the opposite side of the chamber comprising a spring closed valve arranged to open by pressure of the iluid to permit the iluid to flow therethrough and control the temperature of the head or end Wall while controlling the .pressure in the chamber and to retain the fluid in the chamber until displaced by pressure fluid entering through the inlet conduit so as to maintain the chamber full of the fluid at all times.

7. A power piston of the character described including a head or end Wall and side walls, 'a fluid chamber within the piston at the inner side of the head or end Wall, a conduit connected to one side of the chamber to conduct fluid thereto, a restricted outlet at the opposite side of the chamber comprising a spring closed valve arranged to open by pressure of the uid to permit the fluid to ilow therethrough and control'the temperature of the head or end wall While controlling the pressure in the chamber and to retain the fluid in the chamber until displaced by pressure iuid entering through the inlet conduit so as to maintain the chamber full of the fluid at all times, and transversely extending ribs on the inner side of said end wall projecting into the chamber to conduct heat from the end wall to the fluid and extending longitudinally of the general direction of ow of said uid in the chamber.

8. A power piston of the character described including a head or end wall and side walls, a uid chamber Within the piston at the inner side of the head or end wall, a conduit connected to one'side of the chamber to conduct uid thereto, arestricted outlet at the opposite side of the chambercomprising a spring closed valve arranged toopen by pressure of the rluid to permit circulation of fluidv through the chamber to controlgthetemperature of the head or end wall while controlling-the pressure in the chamber andt'ofretainfthe uid in the chamber until displaced Yby pressure uid entering through the inlet conduit so as to maintain the chamber full of-the Huid at all times, a baille extending up- Wardly from the lower part of the chamber toward the head or end Wall and spaced therefrom to direct uid owing through the chamber toward `the head or end Wall to control the temperature thereof, Vand ribs on the inner side of said end wallprojecting into the chamber toward the baiiie and arranged transverse to the baile to conduct heat from the end Wall to the uid and extending longitudinally of the general direction of flow of said fluid through the chamber.

, JOSEPH L. IPPOLlTO.

y 'Y .REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patentz' i l UNITED STATES PATENTS 

